Oregon Highpoint
Mount Hood
11,249 ft · Mount Hood Wilderness · Mt. Hood National Forest
MountaineeringLoading map…
The access pin marks the Timberline Lodge climbing staging area. Climbers use the nearby Salmon River Lot and Climbers’ Trail; the pin is not intended to mark an exact parking space.
USGS: Mount HoodStandard route
South Side Route
From Timberline, follow the designated Climbers’ Trail along the eastern edge of the ski area and continue toward the upper Palmer area, Crater Rock, and the Hogsback. The final summit line changes with snow, ice, bergschrund, and rockfall conditions; Old Chute and Pearly Gates variations are used only when current conditions allow.
Distance
About 6–8 mi
Elevation gain
About 5,300 ft
Route
Out & back
Difficulty
Technical mountaineering
Trailhead
Timberline Lodge / Salmon River Lot
Typical hazards: Avalanches, long sliding falls, rockfall, icefall, crevasses and bergschrunds, fumarole areas, rapidly changing weather, poor visibility, and climber congestion.
The upper South Side route is not a fixed hiking trail. Exact mileage and the preferred summit variation change with conditions, so current Forest Service climbing information takes precedence over a static route description.
Mt. Hood National Forest: climbing informationPermits & fees
2026 requirements
Mt. Hood Climbing Permit
A climbing permit is required for every person traveling above 9,500 feet within the Mount Hood Wilderness.
- 3-day permit
- $20 per climber
- Annual permit
- $50 per climber
- Availability
- Not quota-limited and cannot sell out
- Wilderness permit
- A 3-day climbing permit also serves as the wilderness permit for that climbing trip.
Timberline access
- Uphill travel
- A free Timberline Uphill Travel Pass is required for uphill or foot travel within the ski area.
- Winter parking
- An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required November 1 through April 30.
Access
Timberline Lodge
The standard South Side climb begins at Timberline. The designated Climbers’ Trail originates beside the Salmon River parking area and follows the eastern edge of the ski-area boundary.
Parking assignments can change.
Forest Service climbing updates identify the Salmon River Lot as the primary upper-mountain access. Timberline currently directs day visitors to its lower lots. Check current parking status before the climb, especially during ski season and busy weekends.
Know before you go
Technical climbing requirements
Mount Hood summit routes are technical climbs; do not treat the South Side as a normal hiking trail.
Use the designated Climbers’ Trail while traveling through the Timberline ski area and stay clear of groomed terrain and operating equipment.
Carry the required Mt. Hood Climbing Permit for travel above 9,500 feet.
Pack out human waste using an appropriate human-waste bag.
Climber registration is strongly recommended because the information can assist rescuers if an emergency is reported.
The upper route must be chosen from current mountain conditions rather than assuming the Pearly Gates, Old Chute, Hogsback, or another variation is passable.
Conditions
Check before leaving
Mount Hood conditions change rapidly. Check current climbing reports, weather, avalanche information, ski-area access, forest alerts, snow coverage, and upper-mountain route conditions immediately before the climb.